Method for binding a book

ABSTRACT

A method of binding a book is disclosed in which the signature, or body of the book, is inserted in a case and is then united with the case by means of a course of stitching extending fully through the signature, covering material of the case and spine reinforcing strip at one and the same time, thus providing a book binding of enhanced strength and durability that will open easily and lie open flat and that allows for any printed type matter or illustrations or artwork to be positioned immediately adjacent to the center fold of the signature, or to run uninterrupted across the line of stitching onto the facing page.

United States Patent 19 Watson METHOD FOR BINDING A BOOK [76] Inventor:Aldren A. Watson, River Rd.,

Putney, Vt. 05346 [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 241,339

[51] Int. Cl B42d l/06 [58] Field of Search 281/27, 15 R, 21 R, 29,

V [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,782,056 2/1957Allegretti 281/21 R 1,495,467 5/1924 White .l 281/37 1,238,655 8/l9l7Exline 281/15 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 589,269 11/1933Germany...., 281/23 [11] 3,802,723 [4 1 Apr. 9, 1974 PrimaryExaminer-Robert w. Michell Assistant Examiner-Milton C. Y. Mui

[ 7] i ABSTRACT A method of binding a book is disclosed in which thesignature, or body of the book, is inserted in a case and is then unitedwith the case by means of a course of stitching extending fully throughthe signature, covering material of the case and spine reinforcingstripat one and the same time, thus providing a book binding of enhancedstrength and durability that will open easily and lie open flat and thatallows for any printed type matter or illustrations or artwork to bepositioned immediately adjacent to the center fold of the signature, orto run uninterrupted across the line of stitching onto the facing page.

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] APR 9 I974 v sum 2 or 3 1. METHODFOR BINDING A BOOK BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTlON There are various knowntypes of book bindings in general commercial use, each type havingcharacteristic features that are to a greater or lesser degree relatedto manufacturing cost, and hence related to the durability and term ofuseful life of the binding. Factors that influence the choice of oneparticular type of binding as opposed to any of the other types are: thesubject matter contained in the book; the anticipated market of thebook; the degree of durability required; the probable retail price ofthe book; and the unit manufacturing cost of the binding itself, whichgenerally represents asigniiicant percentage of the total manufacturingcost of the completed book. Thus, with respect to existing types of bookbindings, it follows generally that the more durable the binding, thegreater'its manufacturing cost. 1

Notwithstanding this, however, most types of book bindings in commercialuse have in common one critical structural weakness, namely, that thesignatures of the book are attached to the case solely by means of astrip of cloth and an application of adhesive. In'effect, the strengthand durability of the book binding is specifically limited by presentconstruction methods. F urther, the problem of economicallymanufacturing a book binding that embodies acceptable standards ofdurability has not been satisfactorily solved.

For example, books that it is known will receive hard use by a multitudeof readers library books; and books that will receive like treatment inthe hands of inexperienced readers childrens books; are two instanceswhere maximum durability, is desired. With respect to a class ofchildren s books known in thetrade as picture, book flats,? it isespecially important that the construction of the book binding providein addition to maximum strength and durability, that the book openeasily and remain open in a flat position, thuspermitting a fullyenhanced and visible display of thetype matter in conjunction with theillustrations and artwork, which altogether comprise major features ofsuch childrens books. f I

Books that are offered for sale through bookstores and other outlets, tothe general public, and which are referred to as trade books, as opposedfor example to textbooks and technical books offered for sale to schooldistricts or institutions are customarily bound by one of severalbinding methods whereby the signatures are sewn through the folded backsof the same and attached to the case by means of a method describedabove. Although this so-called trade binding or subjected to similarwear and tear, there has been developed the so-called reinforced librarybinding in which, prior to the signature being attached to the case,

the signature is first sewn or stitched through the side, on a lineparallel with the back edge of the signature. This side-sewing indeedprovides much greater strength insofar as the signature alone isconcerned; yet, because the signature is attached to the case solely bya strip of cloth and adhesive, the overall durability of the completedbook is little improved. Further, this reinforced library binding hastwo distinct disadvantages, especially as it relates to children"sbooks: (1) Due to the signature having been stitched through at theside, the book opens with considerable difficulty, and will not stayopenin a flat position; (2) The illustrations and artwork cannot bepositioned any closer to the center of such a side-sewn binding thanapproximately one inch. in effect, side sewing cancels out the advantageof originally sewing the signatures through the center fold. As aconsequence the important feature of properly displayed artwork andillustration is severely restricted.

Therefore, publishers of books of these types frequently offer for saletwo editions of the same book, namely, a trade edition and a .reinforcedlibrary edition," the latter at an increased price.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method ofbinding books to achieve superior strength, and hence greater durabilityand longevity of serviceable life that is at the same time simple andeconomical to manufacture. It is particularly applicable to the bindingof books having single signatures of 32 pages or more, made,up ofsuperposed flat sheets, which sheets are folded along a transversemedial line prior to their being attached to, and made onej'with, aprefabricated case.

The present invention provides a book of superior strength anddurability that can be manufactured economically in a manner to combine:the best features of the aforementioned two binding types, while at thesame time eliminating the undesirable features of both.

In addition, the present invention provides three advantages whichcontribute to'the durability of the book binding: (1) The turned-overedges of the cover sheet form a slight protrusion or'ridge around theoutside edges of the cover boards. The resultingrecess or depressed areawhich is occupied by the design or illustrative elements imprinted onthe outer cover sheet therefore protects the same artwork from abrasionor other damage. (2) This same arrangement of having the design andillustrative elements made integral with the structureof the bindingtherefore obviates the need of providing a separate detachable dustwrapper, which is customarily done. (3) The visible stitching along thespine provides a recognizable feature of obvious strength anddurability.

In accordance with the present invention an extremely durable bookbinding is provided that is simply constructed, is no more expensive tomanufacture than othercomparable bindings and is manufactured in amanner involving either materials and machinery generally available inbinderies or materials and machinery which are adaptable to the methodof the present invention with few, if any, modifications.

I The method of the present invention provides that theconstruction ofthe binding may be carried out in one continuous manufacturing operationor in a series of related operations. For the purposes of conveniencethe method of the present invention will be described as involving threesequential operations:

- OPERATION I A case for the book is first made from an elongated sheetof cloth, paper orother material suitable for the purpose to which isadhesively secured (or otherwise bonded) on one side of the elongatedsheet a pair of' cover boards (either plain or preprinted withappropriate indicia, designs or artwork), the boards being positionedequidistant from a center line (the medial transverse axis) of theelongated sheet, and thereby providing a space between the two adjacentinner edges of the boards, which space defines the spine area of thebook. Following this, a spine reinforcing strip of cloth or othersuitable material is adhesively secured in the spine area in such mannerthat it laps over and is attached to the edges of the cover boardsadjacent the spine area gap, being also secured over the portion ofexposed cover material in the same spine area.

Then the cover sheet, which is made so that it has a marginal surplus ofmaterial aroundall four sides of the boards intheir attached position,is folded up and over the edges of the boards, and is adhesively secured(or otherwise bonded) to the flat surfaces of the same, such marginalsurplus at the spine area being adhesively secured either over or underopposite end portions of the spine reinforcing strip.

OPERATION II Thereafter, the case is brought together with a signatureinsuch position that the sides of the cover boards to which the coversheet is secured are immediately next to and in contact with the outsideleaves of the signature, the center line of the case being in exactalignment with the center fold of the signature. For the purpose ofaccomplishing this step, the folded sheets of the signature may betemporarily secured in correct alignment witha dot of adhesive or otherholding means.

OPERATION IIl Thereafter, the signature and the case, arranged in properrelationship, i.e., the former inside the latter in correct alignment,are united and made one by means of a line or course of stitchingextending along the length of the spine, the thread or stitching passingfully through the signature, the covering material of the case, and thereinforcing strip, the stitching being effected from the inside of thesignature to the outside of the case or vice versa.

Thereafter, the front and back end'sheets, or the sheets of thesignature immediately next to the'insides of both cover boards, may beadhesively secured (or otherwise bonded) to the front and back coversrespectively and an outside cover sheet may be adhesively secured to theouter surfaces of the case, either as one continuous panel wrappedaround the case and overlying both the stitching along the spine and thespine reinforcing strip, or as two separate panels, one for each of thecovers, in which instance the stitching along the spine, together with aportion of the spine reinforcing strip, will remain exposed to view.

In accordance with the present invention various known materials can beused for the various book components.

The present invention accordingly comprises the features ofconstruction, and the combination and arrangement of components whichwill be exemplified in the description hereinafter set forth, and thescope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A fuller and clearer understanding ofthe nature and objects of the present invention will be had from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction withthe-accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the initial formation steps ofmaking the case, in which cover boards are adhesively secured to thecover sheet, and the spine reinforcing strip is adhesively secured inplace.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the manner in which the marginalportions of the cover sheet are folded up and over and adhesivelysecured to the flat surfaces of the cover boards along their edges.

FIG. 2a is a fragmentary perspective view depicting the manner in whichthe transverse end portions of the spine reinforcing strip are laid downon and secured to the surplus marginal material of the cover sheet afterthe latter has been secured to the cover boards.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting the manner in which the case andthe signature are broughttogether and aligned preparatory to their beingsecured one to the other with a stitching that passes through thereinforcing strip, the cover sheet and the signature, all at oneand thesame'time.

' FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting the manner in which an outercovering consisting of one continuous sheet is adhesively secured to theoutside surface of one cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting the manner in which the remainingportion of said outer covering is adhesively secured to the otherremaining cover, and

further depicts in a cutaway section the underlying con- I struction atthe spine of the book. 7

FIG. 6 is a perspective view depicting the manner in which theoperationsdescribed in FIGS. 4and 5 above may be accomplished by an alternatesequence, namely, the said outer covering is made in two separatepieces, each of which in turn is adhesively secured to its respectivecover board.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view with certain sections cut awayfor the purpose of clarity depicting the components which comprise abook made in accordance with the present invention.

Throughout the description of the present invention, like referencenumerals are used to denote like parts in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention concernsa method of binding a book to provide the finished bound book withsuperior strength and durability, thereby sustaining the integrity ofthe binding structure over a prolonged period of time, and sustainingits capacity to withstand repeated use by a multitude of readers;further, a method to provide a finished bound book that will open easilyand lie open flat, thereby allowing the illustrations and 1 artwork themaximum amount of display. The present invention is particularlyapplicable to books having a single signature of 32 pages or more,although it will be understood that the principles of the presentinvention are as well applicable to a wider range of books having agreater or lesser number of pages distributed vari ously among onesignature or more than one signature. As a preliminary, reference ismade to FIG. 7 wherein there is depictedin exploded perspective view thecomponent parts which form a book'made in accordance with the presentinvention. Included among such components is a first group denoted byreference numeral 10 which make up the case of the binding. Suchcomponents include an elongated cover sheet 12 of cloth, paper or othersuitable material, a pair of identical cover boards 14, each of which isof lesser transverse dimension than the cover sheet 12 and which are ofsomewhat less than one-half the overall length of cover sheet 12, and aspine reinforcing strip 16. Further, the book includes a signaturecomprised of a plurality of flat sheets generally eight or more innumher, with the sheets in the signature arranged in superposedcoextensive positioning one with each of the others and folded on a linelocated at the transverse medial axis of the signature as at 22.Further, the book may include a continuous outer covering sheet 24 whichultimately provides the outer covering component in the finishedbinding, and may bear the usual indicia denoting author,title,publisher, code numbers, as well as design and/or illustrative elements.As an alternative, the outer covering sheet 24 may be provided-as twoseparate pieces, thus leaving the stitching exposed to view as at 28 inFIG. 7 and as at 28 in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIGS. L3 which show the sequence of stepsin forming thecase, the cover sheet 12 may be positioned in a flat configuration on asuitable surface or support to receive the cover boards 14, which areadhesively secured to the cover sheet 12 in the manner depicted in FIG.1, the cover boards 14 being positioned equidistant from a center line(the medial transverse axis) of the cover sheet and'spaced so as toprovide -a gap or spacing 15 between the symmetrically positioned coverboards. Following the attachment of the cover boards 14 to the coversheet 12, the spine reinforcing strip 16 is adhesively coatedon itsunder surface and is then secured to the edge portions of the coverboards as at 17 adjacent to the gap 15, and to that portionof the coversheet which is exposed to view between the cover boards, that is, inthespace 15. alternatively, and as depicted in FIG. 2a, the spinereinforcing strip may be adhesively. secured to the cover boards 14 andin the gap 15 between the boards after the marginal extremities of thecover sheet 12 have been folded over on to the cover boards and securedthereto. ln-such instance, transverse end portions of the spinereinforcing strip as at 16a overlay and are adhesively secured to thefolded over marginal extremities of the cover sheet 12. Following theattachment of the spine reinforcing strip to the cover boards 14 and tothe cover sheet 12, the marginal extremtiies of the cover sheet 12,which as described earlier extend beyond the edges of the cover boards,are folded up and over onto the surfaces of the cover boards and areadhesively secured to the same, as well as to the transverse end portions of the spine reinforcing strip 16, as shownin FIG. 2.Alternatively, the transverse end portions of the spine reinforcingstrip 16 can be left raised while the same is being secured in place,and thereafter be folded down on top of the folded over marginalextremities of the cover sheet 12.

As shown in FIG. 3 and after the case has been made as shown in FIG. 2,the case 10 may be arranged in one of several positions in which it ismechanically convenient and feasible to align the case 10 with andreceive the book signature 20. The signature 20 is then positionedinside the case and aligned with the same, in the manner shown, viz, thetransverse medial axis of the case is aligned with the folded back edge(transverse medial axis) of the signature 20 as shown at 22 in FIG. 7

' As further shown in FIG. 3, the signature 20 and the case withsignature attached, as shown in FIG. 3, may

be closed to the position shown in FIG. 4 or arranged in one of severalother positions that are mechanically feasible and the outer cover sheet24 adhesively secured to one cover of the binding at a time or to bothcovers simultaneously as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in. FIG. 4, the coversheet may'bear indicia 35 such as the book title, author, etc. Further,the outer cover may alternatively be adhesively secured as two separatesheets, either one at a time, or simultaneously as shown in FIG. 6. Y i

In the event it is desired to further enhance the appearance of the bookat the inside surfaces of the cover boards shown at 18 in FIG. 3 next tothe front and back end sheets of the signature, the first and lastsheets of the signature 20, the so-called end sheets, may be adhesivelysecured to the inside faces of the cover boards 18, orspecial end sheetscan be provided by wrapping an additional sheet around the signature atthe time it is prepared. These special end sheets may then be adhesivelysecured to the inner faces of the cover boards in like manner.

For the purpose of making a book binding in accordance with thepresentinvention, various types of materials may be employed in makingthe case and in covering its outer and/or inner surfaces, such as,binders board, buckram, cloth, paper, adhesives, or other suitablematerials or processes including synthetics, laminations or bondingsystems involving heat, pressure, chemistry or combinations thereof.

Where it is intended to provide a relatively rigid bind ing, coverboards of a stiff material customarily will be used for that purpose. Onthe other hand, were a socalled lamp binding is intended, a flexiblematerial may be used for the cover boards. As will be discernible from areading of the foregoing, the various types of materials used for makingthe book as well as the interchangeability of the materials fordifferent purposes can be effected. For example, the same type ofmaterial used for the cover sheet generally will be used as well for thespine reinforcing strip.

What is claimed is:

I. A method for binding a book which comprises:

a. forming a case for the book in the steps of:

providing an elongated cover sheet having opposed faces and longitudinaland transverse margins, adhesively securing a pair of flat cover boardsat one face thereof to one face of said cover sheet, each of said coverboards having longitudinal and transverse edges, 'said cover boardsbeing positioned on said one face of said cover sheet at either side ofthe transverse medial axis of said cover sheet and spaced from eachother to provide a gap therebetween, said cover sheet having surplusmarginal material extending beyond corresponding edges of said coverboards in their attached position,

covering the gap between the cover boards with a spine reinforcingstrip, and adhesively securing the same to said edge portions of thecover boards as well as to the face of said cover sheet within saidfolding over and adhesively securing the surplus marginal material ofsaid cover sheet to the faces of said cover boards remote from the saidone face thereof along edge portions of said remote faces,

b. aligning at least one book signature comprised of a plurality offolded sheets against the other face of the cover sheet with'the medialtransverse axis of said signature in alignment with the correspondingaxis of said case,

c. attaching said signature to said case with a course i of stitchingextending through said signature, case,

cover sheet and said reinforcing strip.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the surplus marginal material is foldeddown on and secured to the top of transverse end'portions of said spinereinforcing strip after the latter is secured to said cover sheet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein transverse end i boards.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising adhesively securing an outercover to said remote faces of said cover boards.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising marking the remote faces ofsaid cover boards with indicia.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said cover boards are comprised ofrigid material.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said cover boards are comprised offlexible material.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said case is formed in a flat positionand is folded to a partly closed configuration before being joined withsaid signature for stitching.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said case is formed in a flat position,and is collated with the signature in the same flat position prior tostitching.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein when said case is formed, saidsignature is received in position aligned with said case, said stitchingis effected, and said outer cover sheet or sheets secured in onecontinuous manufacturing operation.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said stitching is made along themedial axis of both said signature and said case.

12. The method of .claim 1 wherein said cover sheet and said reinforcingstrip are of the same material.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said material is paper.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said material is cloth.

1. A method for binding a book which comprises: a. forming a case forthe book in the steps of: providing an elongated cover sheet havingopposed faces and longitudinal and transverse margins, adhesivelysecuring a pair of flat cover boards at one face thereof to one face ofsaid cover sheet, each of said cover boards having longitudinal andtransverse edges, said cover boards being positioned on said one face ofsaid cover sheet at either side of the transverse medial axis of saidcover sheet and spaced from each other to provide a gap therebetween,said cover sheet having surplus marginal material extending beyondcorresponding edges of said cover boards in their attached position,covering the gap between the cover boards with a spine reinforcingstrip, and adhesively securing the same to said edge portions of thecover boards as well as to the face of said cover sheet within said gap,folding over and adhesively securing the surplus marginal material ofsaid cover sheet to the faces of said cover boards remote from the saidone face thereof along edge portions of said remote faces, b. aligningat least one book signature comprised of a plurality of folded sheetsagainst the other face of the cover sheet with the medial transverseaxis of said signature in alignment with the corresponding axis of saidcase, c. attaching said signature to said case with a course ofstitching extending through said signature, case, cover sheet and saidreinforcing strip.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the surplus marginalmaterial is folded down on and secured to the top of transverse endportions of said spine reinforcing strip after the latter is secured tosaid cover sheet.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein transverse endportions of said spine reinforcing strip are laid down on and secured tothe surplus marginal material of said cover sheet after the latter aresecured to said cover boards.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising adhesively securing an outer cover to said remote faces ofsaid cover boards.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising markingthe remote faces of said cover boards with indicia.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said cover boards are comprised of rigid material. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein said cover boards are comprised offlexible material.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said case is formedin a flat position and is folded to a partly closed configuration beforebeing joined with said signature for stitching.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein said case is formed in a flat position, and is collated with thesignature in the same flat position prior to stitching.
 10. The methodof claim 1 wherein when said case is formed, said signature is receivedin position aligned with said case, said stitching is effected, and saidouter cover sheet or sheets secured in one continuous manufacturingoperation.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said stitching is madealong the medial axis of both said signature and said case.
 12. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said cover sheet and said reinforcing stripare of the same material.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein saidmaterial is paper.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said material iscloth.